A threatened Liberal Democrat challenge failed to materialise, leaving the Chief Secretary to the Treasury with a 10,032 majority.

Mr Byrne said there had been a “surge” to Labour in Birmingham. He added: “We won a great victory here. We put our case over with passion and purpose.”

But Mr Byrne sounded a note of caution. He said voters on the doorsteps engaged in some “straight talking” about the government’s record.

“Our party has to act on these conversations as quickly as possible,” he added.

n Khalid Mahmood held his seat in Perry Barr and increased his vote with 21,142 votes.

The sitting Labour Party MP won his third election in Perry Barr, beating off competition from the Liberal Democrats who secured less than half the amount of votes, on 9,234.

Mr Mahmood, who secured his highest ever overall majority of 11,908, said: “This is a special night for the Labour Party.

“These results show that the pundits were completely wrong. Labour can win and will continue to win and will fight for the people of Birmingham.

n Roger Godsiff became Birmingham’s longest serving MP when he triumphed in three-way split in the new constituency of Hall Green.

Mr Godsiff was returned to Westminster for the fifth time since 1992, chalking up 18 years in parliament.

Liberal Democrat hopeful, city councillor Jerry Evans, had high hopes of an upset, but support for him failed to live up to expectations.

Respect Party’s Salma Yaqoob, also a city councillor, who came close to winning in the former Sparkbrook and Small Heath constituency in 2005, was in second place but unable to threaten Mr Godsiff’s 3,799 majority.

Mr Godsiff said: “I welcome with open arms anyone who wants to join with me to make Hall Green a place where we can all be proud to live.”

Ms Yaqoob, Respect Party leader, said she would continue to “fight for equality, justice and peace.”